CHESTER — Chester police have taken into custody today a woman believed to be the second suspect in the shooting of Rite Aid manager Jason Scott McClay.

Within four hours after Rite Aid Manager Jason Scott McClay was found shot and killed in aisle 14 just before closing Thursday night, investigators lifted and identified convicted felon David Wiggins’ palm print from an exit door of the pharmacy, according to charging documents.

Wiggins, who is now behind bars in Delaware County on first-degree murder and related offenses in the 40-year-old Marple man’s slaying, was arrested shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday at his residence on South 30th Street in Philadelphia.

“We are happy to say we have at least one of the (alleged) shooters in custody,” city Mayor John Linder said at a late Saturday afternoon press conference at Chester police headquarters.

“He tried to flee out the back door” but was apprehended without further incident, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said of the accused killer. With robbery the suspected motive in the homicide, Whelan said he would be reviewing it as an aggravating circumstance for the death penalty, among other factors, as the case proceeds.

“We need to send a message,” Whelan said. “If you are going to come in and commit such a shocking, brutal crime, you are going to be brought to justice.”

Police Commissioner Joseph Bail Jr. said he was “ecstatic” to announce the arrest, citing joint efforts by law enforcement that included Chester police and detectives, the county’s Criminal Investigation Division under Chief Joseph Ryan’s direction, the U.S. Marshals and the Philadelphia Police Department’s 17th District.

“I can’t tell you how good it feels to be part of the (team) who went out and worked tirelessly since this happened Thursday night,” Bail said.

Whelan stopped short Saturday of describing Wiggins as the triggerman, saying that aspect of the investigation was ongoing. No firearm was recovered from his residence, he said.

Authorities are still seeking information on the identity of a woman — described as white or light-skinned, in her mid- to late 20s, wearing a red hooded jacket with white stripes down the sleeves, blue jeans and gray sneakers. A $20,000 reward has been posted for information in the case.

Wiggins and the unidentified woman were the only customers in the store at the time of the fatal shooting, according to the affidavit of probable cause for arrest, penned by city Detective Nelson Collins and county Detective David Tyler, lead investigators on the case.

The woman’s image was caught on store surveillance and released within hours of the crime — as was an image of a black man described as being in his late 20s to mid-30s wearing a white T-shirt over a black long-sleeved top, rolled-up blue jeans and black boots. Anyone with information on her identity or whereabouts is asked to call Collins at 610-447-8431, or Tyler at 610-891-4708 or 911.

Bail said Saturday that investigators have received numerous leads in the case.

“We are not going to tolerate these people who keep shooting up our neighborhoods,” said Linder, noting that he and Bail had just returned from a rally on gun violence in Washington, D.C., when they got word of the homicide. “We have to stop this madness from happening to other families.”

Linder extended his condolences to McClay’s family. “They have our prayers,” he said.

According to official findings by the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office, McClay’s death was ruled a homicide, due to a perforating close-range gunshot wound to the neck and chest area.

His death brings the homicide toll to 15 in Chester and 22 in Delaware County for 2013.

McClay was a graduate of Haverford High School and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Before joining the service, he attended Delaware County Community College, studying criminal justice.

In addition to working for Rite Aid, he was a bouncer at Maggie O’Neill’s.

Bruce C. McClay was at a funeral home making his eldest son’s funeral arrangements Saturday when he received a call from Tyler alerting him to Wiggins’ arrest. In addition to his parents and stepparents, McClay is survived by four brothers and a sister.

“Listen, I knew the cops would get him,” Bruce McClay said Saturday night. “I’m glad he is off the street.”

His wife Sherry, Jason’s stepmother, was also pleased, and joined her husband in praising the investigators who worked around the clock on the case.

“But I won’t be satisfied until they have the girl in custody, and they can’t hurt anyone else and destroy another family,” she said.

Sherry McClay further acknowledged the efforts of government leaders, particularly state Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-159, of Chester, as well as the city’s law enforcement officers.

“People are working hard to keep peace in the city. It’s just unfortunate (this man) came into the city of Chester and committed such a heinous crime,” she said.

The affidavit of probable cause for arrest, written by lead investigators Collins and Tyler, provides the following information:

Chester police were dispatched at around 9:54 p.m. Thursday by Delaware County Emergency Communications (911) for a shooting at the Rite Aid at 2722 West Ninth St., near Highland Avenue. Officer Will McKinzie entered the store and found McClay, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Crozer-Chester paramedics Jeffrey Winters and Tim Keiser, at 10:01 p.m. The crime scene was secured and processing of the crime got under way. Among evidence immediately collected was a .380-caliber fired cartridge casing, located near a Gatorade display. Several witnesses were also located and transported to police headquarters. Surveillance video was immediately reviewed, with footage showing a black male pushing the exit door open. A palm print lifted from the door was identified as Wiggins.

One of the witnesses was interviewed by county Detectives Edward Kazlo and John Hoffner. That witness saw two customers inside the store, a male and a female. The female approached the front counter and asked McClay if the store carried motion light bulbs. McClay told the woman he didn’t think so, but he would show her where they would be on display.

That witness saw McClay and the female customer walk back toward the light-bulb aisle. Within a minute, the witness heard “a loud bang,” and watched both the male and female run out of the store together.

After further investigation and review of the store surveillance tape, a suspect was developed and that witness was shown an array of eight photographs of black males. The witness identified Wiggins as the person seen both inside the store, and fleeing with the female.

A second witness who was in the store was interviewed by Tyler and Collins. That person was standing by the front candy display when two customers walked to the far side of the store. The witness heard “a bang” and then saw a black male with a tear drop tattoo on his face running toward the front door of the store. A female in a red Adidas sweatsuit fled the store with him, the witness told investigators. That witness was also shown an array of eight photographs and identified Wiggins as being the male in the store.

Wiggins is additionally facing second- and third-degree murder charges, as well as recklessly endangering another person, firearms not to be carried without a license, weapons possession and conspiracy charges.

According to the affidavit, Wiggins was convicted of criminal attempted burglary in August 2011, in Philadelphia.

Rite Aid is offering a $10,000 reward for information in the case, in addition to $10,000 being offered by Rx Patrol, in conjunction with the Citizens Crime Commission. Information can be called in to the Crime Commission Tipline at 215-546-TIPS (8477). Callers do not have to leave their name.